Psalm 142 - When I Feel Alone

Summer in the Psalms

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When was the last time you were "scooped up"? Whether in the safe and reassuring arms of someone we love or in a bed full of pillows, being "scooped up" is deeply comforting.

As my friend, Abby McDonald, points out in her reflection of Psalm 142, God's love is ready and waiting to "scoop" us up. Our part is simply to come - to be honest and transparent, to bring our cares and burdens to the one who not only carries them but carries us.

Abby McDonald is a writing coach, speaker, and the author of Surrendering Certainty: Hearing God Today by Letting Go of Tomorrow as well as Shift: Changing Our Focus to See the Presence of God. Her mission is to empower women to hear God’s voice in their lives and act on it in faith. Abby writes regularly for Proverb 31 Ministries’ daily devotions team, and her work has been featured in numerous publications. Abby lives with her husband, three children, and black lab in the mountains of western Maryland. Connect with her at abbymcdonald.org.

As I surveyed the room full of other moms, I’d never felt so alone. Everyone seemed like they’d known each other for years, and laughed at the latest stories about their kids. But I was the new girl. I searched for an opening to enter a conversation, but couldn’t seem to find one.

Our family had moved to the area several months ago after a job opportunity became available for my husband. We’d prayed about it for months and felt sure that we were following the Lord’s leading. But now I questioned. Friendships and connections to our community were both slow in coming, and with all the stresses of the big transition, my husband and I took our frustrations out on each other.

As my sense of isolation grew, the lies I listened to grew louder.

No one cares what you’re going through, so just keep it to yourself.

God isn’t looking out for you. If He were, you wouldn’t be going through this.

Have you ever been there? Instead of going to the one who offers to carry our burdens, we convince ourselves that we have to carry them ourselves. We look at the troubles of our lives and think, “Surely, God must have more important things to worry about than what I’m facing.”

In those moments, we forget what it looks like to have a transparent, intimate relationship with God. But in the Psalms, we see beautiful reminders of what this openness with the Lord does for our souls. One example of this transparency is found in Psalm 142, which is short but filled with goodness.

David wrote Psalm 142 while hiding in a cave. While King Saul pursued him, determined to take his life, David cried out to the Lord. He didn’t hold anything back, even referring to his prayer as “a complaint.” (v. 2) Isn’t it comforting to know we can come to God in this way, and He doesn’t turn away from us? We can almost hear the agony in David’s voice as he invites the Lord to look at his situation.

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life. - Psalm 142:4 NIV

I love how these verses open because I’ve heard similar words from my daughter when she hurts herself. “Look and see, Mama.” She knows I will scoop her up and examine her, offering her love and comfort.

David takes this same approach with his Heavenly Father. Instead of trying to hide his distress, David goes to the One who gives life. “Can’t you see, God?” He pours himself out before the God who comforts us when we’re weary, knowing he can be completely honest. And even though David’s situation doesn’t change in this moment, we see a shift in his perspective at the end of the psalm. He remembers his source of hope and declares victory before his deliverance takes place.

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. - Psalm 142:7 NIV

David is still isolated in a cave, but he envisions his deliverance. And in his vision, he isn’t isolated, but surrounded by others who will witness God’s goodness.

When I finally came to the Lord with my own complaint, I didn’t find immediate resolutions to our problems. But I did find a peace I hadn’t known in months. I found a God who listened and reminded me where my hope rests.

Now, It's Your Turn!

I challenge you to take a moment to pray, then read or listen to Psalm 142 today. Think about what stands out to you. Consider writing down a statement of faith. It may help to think of this as an I-statement. Maybe yours is similar to Abby's:

When I come to the Lord, He will give me His peace and listen to me and remind me where my hope rests.

Then, jot down a question to think about today. Maybe yours is similar to Abby's:

How have I been convincing myself I have to carry these burdens myself instead of going to the One who offers to carry them for me? 

May this reflection lead our hearts to gratitude and praise today and may we stand in victory against the tactics and schemes of the enemy.

And praise God for refreshment as we are intentional to spend a summer in the Psalms together, for if we want His truth to ever be on our lips, it must first be planted in our hearts.

Our strength grows as we rely on strength from above. Our joy grows as we see God transforming us from the inside out. Our peace grows as we spend time in God's presence, and we find rest when we intentionally seek the Lord first in our lives, for the Lord is ever our portion.

The good life, well it starts with a good day. Then another. Then another. Let's choose to live #TheGoodDay one day at a time.